Chapter 59: I Refuse to Be the One Who Swallows Her Pride

Xie Xu was so amused by Lu Yiqi that he laughed. “Then just go with your gut. Whatever you think I need, give me that. And if you really can’t decide…” He paused, and Lu Yiqi gazed at him, waiting expectantly for the rest. Xie Xu continued slowly, “If you truly can’t think of anything, just a simple ‘Happy Birthday’ from you would be enough for me.”

“…That’s so perfunctory,” she grumbled.

Xie Xu smiled. “Then you’d better think carefully about what I might want.”

“…Alright.”

“By the way, do you know when Yan Yi is coming back?”

“Brother Yan Yi should be back tomorrow, I think.”

“Oh, is that so?” Xie Xu’s lips curled up slightly. “Then make sure you invite him to my birthday party too. Three days from now, at the Imperial Capital Grand Hotel.”

…

Three days later.

It was the coming-of-age banquet for young master Xie Xu of the Xie family. The number of distinguished guests was countless, and many who hoped to form connections with the Xies tried to use this occasion to introduce their daughters to Xie Xu.

Lu Yiqi, naturally aware of the Xie family’s reputation, dressed herself beautifully. She lifted her dress delicately as she stepped out of the car, followed by Yan Yi, immaculate in formal attire.

The two walked side by side into the Imperial Capital Grand Hotel. After searching for a while, Lu Yiqi finally spotted Xie Xu in a quiet corner.

Tonight, Xie Xu was also in a tailored suit—an expensive, handmade blue ensemble that made him look both cold and strikingly handsome.

“Xie Xu!” Lu Yiqi waved at him.

He had been standing by the wall with a glass of wine, lost in thought. At the sound of her voice, the young man’s deep, handsome eyes lifted slightly, sweeping toward her. “You’re here.”

“Mm.” Lu Yiqi approached him.

Xie Xu regarded her closely from head to toe. She wore a simple white gown, her hair, dark as seaweed, tumbling softly over her chest. The overall effect was a gentle, ladylike calmness.

A flash of surprise flickered through Xie Xu’s gaze, then he smirked. “How pretentious.”

Lu Yiqi was taken aback. “???”

He smirked again. “You’re clearly a goofball, but you insist on acting like a lady.”

“???” I’m angry now—the kind of angry that can’t be appeased.

They locked eyes for a few seconds.

Lu Yiqi thought to herself: Forget it. This annoying man will never apologize anyway! Her eyes darted around until she found Yan Yi in the crowd.

Hmph, she wasn’t going to play with him anymore!

She turned to leave.

Xie Xu stopped her. “Where are you going?”

Lu Yiqi huffed, “I’m not playing with you. I’m going to hang out with Brother Yan Yi!”

“???” Xie Xu was suddenly unsettled. “No way!”

“You can’t stop me.”

With her cheeks puffed in indignation, she looked every bit like a child declaring, “I’m going to play with other kids—I’m not going to stay here and be miserable with you.”

“No way.” He tried to suppress a smile as he spoke again, his tone firm.

Lu Yiqi stood her ground as well. “Why not? Unless you give me a compliment, I’m not coming back.”

“So ruthless?”

“That’s right!”

“Alright, I’ll give you a math question. If you get it right, I’ll compliment you.”

“???” Why does it always end up with you making me do math problems?

“It’s an easy one,” he added.

“…Fine, ask.”

Lu Yiqi often felt she had no principles—just because he was good-looking, she’d gone against her own rules more than once. It was enough to make her want to cry.

“The sum of the first and last terms, multiplied by the number of terms, divided by two.”

“Huh?”

He uttered two words: “Find the sum.”

Watching her bewildered face gradually light up with understanding, Xie Xu’s throat tightened. He spoke in a husky voice:

“You look beautiful tonight.”